How to say "literacy" in Japanese

• リテラシー
  nounA loanword for literacy. It covers the basic ability to read and write, but is especially used for competence in handling information or media, where 識字 would not fit.
• 識字しきじ
  nounLiteracy in the literal sense: the ability to read and write. Found in educational and policy contexts, such as teaching adults to read and write; extended senses like media competence take リテラシー instead.

Use 識字 for literacy in the basic sense of the ability to read and write; use 「リテラシー」, a loanword, for that sense too and especially for extended senses of competence with information or media.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• リテラシーliteracy
• 識字しきじliteracy